It's time for The Reverence, and this year's challenge is for those brave or foolish enough to enter. It's a chance, however. For fortune and fame. For something else. For one of Cel'li's boons.

Layla knows it's her golden opportunity. Tired of keeping her relationship with Princess Serena to the shadows, this is a chance worth taking. With such a prize, no one can deny their bond. It's the best hope she has for the future. Even if it means risking everything.

~Excerpt~

Layla walked into the ring when she was called, holding her head up high, her hand resting on the hilt of her sword. Alistair was already waiting, one arm wrapped in bandages and several rips in his clothing. At least he hadn't come away unscathed either.

This was little reassurance.

Alistair was a head and half taller than her. He had a better reach, he was stronger, and he moved awfully quick for someone so bulky.

Layla was outclassed in every way. Yet, she refused to forfeit. If she ended up defeated, she would go down having given it her all.

“You are not quite the challenger I expected,” Alistair said with a lazy rake of her body. Weighing and dismissing her, all at once.

Layla fought down a shiver of disgust. “You are the worst of what I expected,” she retorted.

She drew her sword and leveled it at him.

He snickered and drew his own, the long, thin blade designed for agility. Compared to her heavier hand and a half, they were ill-matched to duel.

Alistair launched himself at her with a showy, spinning move. Layla ducked under it and whipped into a half-turn, lashing at him with a boot. She kicked the back of one thigh, but he was already moving and absorbed the blow. He spun again, sword whistling through the air, and she gasped, raising her sword to block.

This collection of revamped fairytales is certain to entice and excite your senses. From Cinderella to Red Riding Hood, Twisted Fables takes you on a journey through the many fairytale worlds with a sensual twist.

These twelve stories are penned by both seasoned scribes and new authors; the anthology provides readers with the perfect opportunity to explore offerings from their favorite storytellers as well as find a new favorite or two.

It’s time for The Reverence, and this year’s challenge is for those brave or foolish enough to enter. It’s a chance, however. For fortune and fame. For something else. For one of Cel'li’s boons.

Layla knows it’s her golden opportunity. Tired of keeping her relationship with Princess Serena to the shadows, this is a chance worth taking. With such a prize, no one can deny their bond. It’s the best hope she has for the future. Even if it means risking everything.

~Serena actually loves wearing the fancy dresses she's been trained to drape around her body. Layla loves them on her, too. She especially loves to let her hand slide up Serena's leg beneath the fabric.

~Layla enjoys bondage, but Serena loves to serve. She is happiest when Layla is squirming beneath her, singing her praises. Even better when Layla tells her in the most wicked of tones, what it is she needs to do.

~Layla is a morning person and an early riser. She loves to get up right before sunrise, and her favorite time of day is a crisp morning.

~Serena only rises before noon if she's forced to be somewhere. If roused too early, she can be quite grumpy. She's a night owl, at her perkiest around midnight.

~Layla loves the stars. She's memorized all the constellations.

~Serena knows how to sew, and crochets when she's angry to calm herself down.

~Layla eats when she's stressed.

~Layla is afraid of spiders, much to Serena's amusement. Serena, meanwhile, is deathly afraid of water deeper than her hips. She never learned to swim.

Layla, as it turns out, loves bondage. It’s a surprise to her as much as it is to Serena.

But the first time Serena pins her down enough that Layla can’t move, she outright moans. It turns her on, makes her immediately wet, though she can’t put her finger on why.

The next time they have more than a stolen moment in a storage room, Layla brings with her a handful of knitted scarves. For the first time, she’s embarrassed to ask for something. Her face burns and she can’t meet Serena’s eyes.

Serena, however, only smiles and takes the scarves with evident curiosity.

“Tie you up?” she repeats and her lips curve with sheer delight. “It sounds like fun.”

Layla blinks. “You’re sure?”

Serena steps close and loops one scarf over Layla’s body like a lasso, reeling her in.

“Absolutely,” she purrs. “Something tells me we’re both going to enjoy this indulgence.”

Layla shivers, her insides quivering. “Thank you.”

“Oh.” Serena nuzzles into her throat with a warm exhalation. “It’ll be my pleasure.

~Layla likes to snuggle, but Serena hates excess heat. They may start the night cuddling, but eventually, Layla rolls into a blanket burrito, and Serena sprawls out on top of what’s left of the covers.

~Layla is the more sexually experienced of the two, with both male and female lovers in the past, but Serena is an eager study. She has only had female partners.

~Serena says ‘I love you’ first, a quiet confession during a tender moment. It’s several months later when Layla blurts it out in return, over a public lunch, and during an unfortunate, if not hilarious, lull in the dull roar of surrounding conversation.

~They have spent at least one nigh in every inn, bed and breakfast, or hostel in Aldagar. Some they have frequented enough that they have a favorite room.

~In the Spring, the peak of flower season, Layla snores. She also sneezes like a horse.

~Layla enjoys watching Serena apply her make up for official functions, but rejects wearing any herself. She doesn’t have the patience and refuses to let Serena’s handmaidens help her.

~Serena is a messy crier. It’s a good thing she doesn’t do so often, because her face turns splotchy, tears go everywhere, and her nose runs.

She enjoys music and has been forced to learn many instruments, but she has no rhythm.

That doesn’t stop her from trying.

Whenever they attend one of the street festivals, Serena is the first to hike up her skirts and wriggle about. She often takes Layla’s hand and drags her out into the crowd, too. Not that Layla can dance either.

It’s not about skill though. It’s about having fun, laughing and dancing after they’ve had their fill of fruit pies and hibiscus tea.

They share kisses when they dance close, Serena and her citrus tartlets, Layla and her boysenberry puffs.

Serena’s cheeks flush. She pulls her hair into a messy bun on top of her head. Dangling brass earrings jangle as she swings her body in tight circles.

Layla is definitely the impulse buyer of the two. She knows how to manage her money, but she keeps what she calls “impulse coin” for the things here and there that catch her eye. Especially if shiny or new.

who draws in the dust on their cars

Serena. Bath fog in the mirrors. Frost on the windows. Dust on the desktop. She often idly draws designs with her fingertips while lost in thought.

who starts the snowball fights

Layla. Always Layla. She loves a good challenge, she loves to have fun, and even though Serena’s aim is better than hers, she can’t make a decent snowball, so they are evenly matched.

who throws away the directions to things

Layla. She thinks they can figure it out on their own. Just wing it. Serena prefers to have something to fall back on just in case, or you know, do it right the first time.

who puts up holiday décor

Both of them. Serena has a keen eye for interior design, another something she was raised to know, but Layla gets really excited for holidays and has set times when the decorations must go out to get them in the spirit.

who is more likely to forget to bathe

Layla. It’s less likely that she forgot to bathe, as it is she gets to the end of the day, realizes she hasn’t bathed yet, and is too tired to go through the effort of doing so and saves it for the next day. Or the day after that.

who gets more obsessed about things

I wouldn’t say obsessed is the right word, but once Serena gets focused on something important, there’s little that can deter or distract her.

who sings in the shower more often

Serena hums, but Layla sings, sometimes in tune, sometimes not. If they’re bathing together, and have the time, they might indulge in a duet or two.

Definitely Layla. She tries to hide it, but she reacts first, thinks later. Serena’s been trained to keep her emotions in check, so she might feel like crying, but she’s good at putting on that stone face.

who wears the ugly holiday garb

Layla. She loves to find the ugliest thing she can possibly locate and wear it with pride. Especially if it’s comfortable. Plus, it makes Serena laugh.

who pays for the meals

They take turns, especially at first. Layla insisted upon it. Once they get married, though, the pull from a joint pot and pay together. And Serena is always a big tipper.

who brings home stray animals

Serena. Layla’s too practical when it comes to strays, but Serena has a very big heart and still thinks she can save the world and everything in it.

who leaves the bathroom door open

If using the facilities, neither of them, at least not at first. If bathing, Layla. She hopes to entice Serena to join her.

who tells the ‘dad jokes’

Layla. She loves puns and bad jokes and silly things. Stuff that makes Serena laugh and give her a fond look.

who wants kids more

Neither of them. Serena is hoping she can foist off the idea of heirs onto her brother, while Layla has enough nieces and nephews that she thinks she’s set for life.

who travels more

Layla. She’s at least been out of the city a few times thanks to being a member of the militia and Nolan’s Guard. Serena hopes to get out of the city soon. She wants to make diplomatic trips to both Aldagar and Ivaline to maintain friendly relations with their neighbors.

Serena is one pretty package from top to bottom. Everything about her is gorgeous.

Even so, Layla has her favorites. Like Serena’s thick thighs. Her wide hips. Her olive skin. Her glossy black hair so long it falls to her waist like dark water. It’s as soft as silk and always smells of sweet oils from a distant land.

Layla likes to embrace Serena from behind, pressing her nose to Serena’s hair. She inhales deeply, enjoying the scent. Serena’s hair is so soft it tickles Layla’s cheeks.

“Do you mind?” Layla asks as she rubs Serena’s corset-covered belly.

Serena laughs and pats her hand. “No, my sweet. Indulge away.”

She hands Layla a brush and works her way free long enough to sit at her vanity. This puts her hair in easy reach for Layla to play with.

She isn’t skilled at the intricate knots and braids like Serena’s handmaidens. But this isn’t about style.

“A Royal Pursuit” is set in my The Mimickers universe, something that I created over a decade ago, that I’ve been gradually honing and building. This world map was drawn a long time ago in MS Paint but it still serves as a handy reference tool until I re-do it with more current information.

This is the world of Raetaen. See the bottom right continent? That is Ghent, and at the top of Ghent, in a forest that straddles a river, is Aldagar, which is where A Royal Pursuit takes place. Aldagar is both the name of the capital city and the name of the country.

Aldagar is also near Meransia, to the left of Ghent, and Ivaline, which is at the bottom toward the middle, noted by the now defunct name of Ivey.

Meransia is home to the Merans, a cat-lizard like species who has very good relations and trade with Aldagar. Merans also, for the record and thanks to Magic ™ are able to cross-breed with humans.

Ivaline is home to the Verdillan, a plant-human hybrid like species who have two separate lifespans and are also able to cross-breed with humans. Ivaline, however, is very set apart, and its residents don’t interact outside their community.

Where Serena is more likely to pull on a mask and hide her feelings until later, Layla is the type to react immediately. Sometimes with a sharp retort. Other times with a raised fist.

Big things come in small packages, or so they say, and given Layla’s explosive moments, Serena believes it.

There are some things Layla can brush off with no trouble. She does have her sore spots, but sometimes, Serena can bring her back with a soft word.

Other times, Serena doesn’t bother. She feels as insulted as Layla does and she has to admit, she enjoys watching Layla teach imbeciles a lesson.

Layla’s small, but she’s fierce. Insulting her abilities, for whatever reason, is quick to incite a challenge.

Layla taking down opponents twice her size gives Serena a quiet thrill. The fierce look in her brown eyes makes Serena tremble. She has to resist the urge to drag Layla into the nearest alley and pin her against a wall.

Yes, Layla has a temper. She also has restraint when she needs it. So it’s a good thing Serena helps balance her out.

So one of the themes in A Royal Pursuit is that Layla is taking part in a tournament, Cel'li’s Challenge as a matter of fact, in hopes to win Cel'li’s Boon, rather than the prize coin. Cel'li’s Boon is an open-ended opportunity to make a request for something that you couldn’t get otherwise, though it’s more often used to make a statement of love.

In Aldagar, they have a celebration every year and a tournament/challenge to go with it. They have five deities that they cycle through to honor.

1. Cel'li, the warrior god. His challenge is a physical tournament, doesn’t have to be swords but no magic can be involved.

2. Melali, the god of knowledge. His challenge is sort of like a brain bowl. Participants have to be able to answer a variety of questions from a variety of origins including literature, science, math, and history.

3. Larian, goddess of cunning, or the trickster goddess. She is honored by a footrace that is more like a relay race.

4. Ilith, goddess of magic, who is honored by a fighting tournament, but only for wizards/sorcerers, whether Innate or Adept.

5. Arith, goddess of science and younger sister of Ilith, who is honored by an alchemy challenge.

Layla is not royalty nor is she one of the nobility. She is the daughter of a soldier, one of the city guard.

But that doesn’t mean she is uneducated. Her father insisted that he and her siblings attend the local academies no matter the cost.

According to Layla, he’s always believed the path to self-improvement lay in a proper education.

Though that doesn’t explain why Serena keeps finding her lover with her nose buried in those… those obscene pieces of trashy romance that can barely be called stories, much less novels. They are the only thing Layla will read by her own choice, as raunchy and explicit as they are.

Poorly written, too, which if you ask Serena is the greater sin.

“You’re just jealous you can’t come up with a line as epic as this,” Layla says, sticking out her tongue. “My nethers quivered with tumescent desire, soaked in the honey of my longing. I–”

I’m very excited to finally be getting back out into the publishing world and I hope you’ll support the other writers in this fascinating Anthology.

My short story is a f/f fantasy called A Royal Pursuit.

It’s time for The Reverence, and this year’s challenge is for those brave or foolish enough to enter. It’s a chance, however. For fortune and fame. For something else. For one of Cel'li’s boons.

Layla knows it’s her golden opportunity. Tired of keeping her relationship with Princess Serena to the shadows, this is a chance worth taking. With such a prize, no one can deny their bond. It’s the best hope she has for the future. Even if it means risking everything.

Even better!

Not only can you buy the entire anthology digitally and in print (from Amazon), but you’ll also be able to buy A Royal Pursuit individually after the release date.

There’s no law barring the princess from leaving the palace. She’ not prevented from mingling with her citizens. In fact, she no longer even needs to take a bodyguard with her as she’s proven the capability to defend herself.

Though Layla swears she still sometimes sees Quen, a shadow in the crowd. Old habits die hard, after all. Once a guardian, always a guardian.

So, yes, there’s nothing odd in their twice-weekly lunches. Their weekend dinners. The strolls through the market. The fruitless and longing stares through the glass of the bakery windows…

No one looks twice.

It’s an odd sense of privacy for a relationship that ought to garner more scrutiny. But the princess can have as many friends as she likes.

Lovers, however, those are a different story. Those rendezvous have to be furtive, conducted in secret.

No one can know about Layla and Serena. Not yet. Especially since their friendly fling has stretched years into a serious commitment.

A princess should be with someone who can stand at her side. And right now, Layla, daughter of Nolan’s Guard, doesn’t count.

For the people of Aldagar, who live in proximity to Elvie and Meransia, their rules of ascension are considered quite lax.

Same-sex marriages are not frowned upon and are treated as normal, even for the nobility or royalty. The Ruling Two can be m/m, m/f, or f/f. The Ruling Two don’t even have to be the married couple, so long as one of the Ruling Two are genetic heirs to the throne.

Take, for instance, Serena’s grandparents, her father’s parents. While they were husband and wife, they were not King and Queen. They were King and wife, with a secondary member of his support staff serving as the balance to his Ruling Two, (King and Dame, or King and Sir, in this instance, King and Sir). The Ruling Two do not have to be romantically linked.

Therefore, if Serena and Layla were to be wed, Serena would have the option to either nominate Layla as her Queen and the second half of her Ruling Two, or Layla (who honestly has no interest in learning how to rule a nation), could politely demur, allowing Serena to choose a more suitable candidate to rule beside her.

It is not the fact that they are a lesbian couple that prevents Serena and Layla from being together with ease, but that Layla is not only a commoner, she’s an Unlearned commoner (which is different from an uneducated commoner). Royalty don’t often marry for love, but for practicality, and Layla’s skills are impractical to assisting and supporting Serena in her future rule.